It is probably fair to say that this was a rather unpromising looking shopfront with many problems but we still felt that there were good possibilities for improvement.

There had been squares of some sort of boarding attached over the lower brickwork and this was gaping forward at plinth level. The shopfront, being a double size, had a very large area of bare aluminium windows and doors. The aluminium shutters gave a very bleak appearance at night. There had never been a proper sign but rather an assortment of sticky letters both on shutter box and windows.

Maisies',as landlords, were very keen to see this property looking better so agreed to remove boarding and repair brickwork. They also wanted their tenant, Brian, to get involved with choosing colours that he would be happy with. They also decided to paint the upper storey to match.

Brian was very keen on having a deep red colour scheme. A deep Victorian burgundy no. 6 is used as the main colour with accent colours of the lighter red "Victorian 5". A light cream masonry paint is used. Shutter boxes are also cream. Shutters have been thoroughly treated, primed and are also in burgundy. Plinths are in "Victorian 5"

The new fascia board with hand painted signage is an extremely elegant creation which makes the most of the large area. The sign writer was able to include all the information, which previously sprawled all over the window, on this sign. The wonderful flourishes on letters and ribbon banner effects give a whimsical Victorian effect.

This shopfront really does show a very dramatic "before and after" and does look extremely attractive. It really improves the look of that part of Church Street.

Painting/decorating: Mark Foster.

Fascia board and signwriting: Rod Gazeley